The Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions Chapter of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) have held its 2021 Annual General Meeting at the Skyplus Hotel, Ho which saw the participation of the Hon. Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, as a Special Guest. Other Special Guests included the Hon. Oti Regional Minister, Mr. Joshua Makubu, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Free Zone Authority, Mrs. Kate Djankwei Abbeo, and the Hon. Eastern Regional Minister who was represented.

The meeting has been held under the theme, “Building Resilient Industries for the Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions for Sustainable Development.” Nana Obonbo Sewura Lupuwura II, Chairman of Oti Regional Lands Commission chaired the meeting, while Hon. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, in charge of Trade, Mr. Herbert Krapa was the Guest of Honour.

Dr. Letsa in an address, acknowledged the significant role the AGI had played and continued to play in national development, while congratulating the Association on the organization of the meeting.

He also acknowledged the strong and dynamic leadership, Mr. Dela Gadzanku, the President of the Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions Chapter of the Association was providing.

Dr. Letsa stated that H.E. the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo upon assuming office in 2017 had introduced several important economic initiatives in order to correct the underlying problems with the Economy he inherited and to ensure that a nation beyond aid was built. In view of the above, the Co-ordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2017-2024) had been launched with great focus on industrialization and value addition.

I stated the document contains policies of government such as the One District One Factory (1D1F), Planting for Food and Jobs, and One Village One Dam.

I indicated that the 1D1F was being successful implemented across the nation, with the Volta Region boasting of four factories in operation, while twenty-two others were at different stages of completion.

He also stated that government through the support of the African Development Bank was constructing some small-scale processing factories across the country to aid local entrepreneurs in areas such as processing and packaging of gari, soya, palm oil, rice, among others.

He therefore expressed the optimism that with the support of the private sector, government would succeed in turning the economy into a resilient and prosperous one like the “Asian Tigers”.

Dr. Letsa seized the opportunity to inform the gathering about the collaboration between the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the Private Sector (AGI) in organizing trade fairs to open the regional market for products from the region. He therefore invited participants to the 5^th Volta Trade and Investment Fair slated for 15^th  November to 28^th November, 2021 at the Ho Sports Stadium.